Skip to Main Content

Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Freshman running back Mason Blakemore runs with the ball in the first half of NIU's 34-26 victory over Bowling Green on Oct. 16 at Huskie Stadium. Blakemore scored his first career touchdown in the second quarter.

COLUMN: Depth gives NIU title hopes

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 17, 2021

Despite injuries at key positions in recent weeks, NIU’s depth players showed off their abilities in a conference matchup against the Bowling Green State University Falcons Saturday. In the first half, redshirt junior quarterback Rocky Lombardi only...

A book of rules and regulations, but some sports add unwritten rules from a bygone era.

Unwritten rules should stay in past

By Waleed Alamieh, Sports Columnist | October 15, 2021

Unwritten rules in sports are the last thing the older generations of fans and coaches can hold onto while the game changes right in front of their eyes.  Whether it's swinging at a 3-0 pitch in baseball or running a play when they should have taken...

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas.

Bears’ success lies in hands of Fields

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | October 15, 2021

In this year’s NFL draft, the Chicago Bears secured their future by drafting quarterback Justin Fields from the Ohio State University.  Fields was the fourth quarterback selected in the draft and fill in the spot the Bears needed with the departure...

NFL officials in the past have been reluctant on throwing the yellow penalty flag for taunting, but a emphasis on the penalty in 2021 could be taking away from the game.

NFL going too harsh on taunting

By Noah Silver, Sports Reporter | October 14, 2021

What a surprise, the NFL is trying to suck more fun out of football.  Before the start of the 2021 season, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his competition committee made sure that officials would emphasize stopping players from taunting one another,...

Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant plays during a preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in Philadelphia.

Four contenders stand out in NBA

By Davione Barrow, Sports Reporter | October 13, 2021

The NBA preseason ends this week, and the regular season will kick off on Oct. 19.  Coming out of preseason, there are four teams that make a strong case to raise the NBA championship trophy at the end of the year, those being the Chicago Bulls, the...

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Henrik Borgstrom (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Minnesota Wild during the first period of an NHL preseason hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Chicago.

‘Hawks look to return to playoffs

By Noah Silver, Sports Reporter | October 12, 2021

The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to bounce back after an underperforming season that saw them missing key players and failing to capitalize on late game opportunities. With a new year comes new questions about the potential of head coach Jeremy Colliton’s...

A sign marking the entrance to the Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights. The Chicago Bears purchased the property for nearly $200 million.

Bears’ future is in Arlington Heights

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 12, 2021

In a season marred with quarterback controversy and questionable coaching, the Chicago Bears made a midseason splash by making an agreement that signals a departure from its longtime home at Soldier Field. On Sept. 29, the Bears and Churchill Downs...

Freshman running back Antario Brown during a practice during the offseason. Brown rushed for 93 yards against Toledo on Oct. 9.

Huskies embrace winning ugly

By James Krause | October 11, 2021

Head football coach Thomas Hammock made it clear last Tuesday at NIU’s weekly press conference that they aren’t playing for style points. “Like I tell the player we’re not trying to win a beauty pageant,” Hammock said. “I think that’s...

Redshirt freshman defensive end James Ester celebrates a sack in the first quarter against EMU on Oct. 2. The Huskies beat EMU 27-20 to move to 3-2 overall.

COLUMN: How NIU weathered the storm to beat Eastern Michigan

By James Krause | October 4, 2021

Food isn’t typically a priority for a head coach during a football game, but the conventional is thrown out over the course of a two-hour and 45 minute lightning delay. Head coach Thomas Hammock praised those like Daniel Koenen, director of Dining...

Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras reacts after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Milwaukee.

Cubs ponder future without stars

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | September 20, 2021

From flying the “W”  looking like title contenders for years to come with a core of players in their prime or about to hit it. To rebuilding and returning back to lovable losers form only in a span of five years is not what the Cubs organization...

Chicago White Sox's Jose Abreu (79) follows through on a swing during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington Texas, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021.

Sox need surge ahead of playoff run

By Waleed Alamleh, Sports Reporter | September 20, 2021

With the MLB season coming down to its final weeks, the Chicago White Sox are closing in on winning their first American League Central title since 2008.  The team has their eyes set on bigger prizes with World Series hopes in mind for the ball club....

NIU linebackers, sophomore Nick Rattin (left) and redshirt senior Lance Deveaux (right) try and tackle Michigan sophomore running back Blake Corum (middle). Corum led the Wolverines with 125 yards rushing in a 63-10 win over the Huskies on Sept. 18.

COLUMN: Huskies can build off blowout loss to Michigan

By James Krause | September 20, 2021

During the University of Michigan’s 63-10 shellacking of NIU on Saturday, the 106,623 fans at Michigan Stadium kept themselves thoroughly entertained. The sea of yellow and blue did the wave, they sang The Killers hit “Mr. Brightside” and played...